Switching apparatus



H. J. H. HUBER SWITCHING APPARATUS June 12, 1928.

Filed Jan. 29, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet o l ,..x. 1. g En b 3 His fitter-negw H mH h 3 mm w H June 12, 1928.

H. J. H. HUBER SWITCHING APPARATUS Sheets-Sheet $6 9 l 9 2 n a J d e l 1 F Fig. 2.

In v entor: Harm an JH. Huber;

June 12, 1928. 1,673,748 H. J. H. HUBER SWITCHING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.5. 4

Herman dHHuber;

Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED STATES HERMAN J. H. HUBER, F SCHENECTADY NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

swr'ronme APPARATUS.

Application filed January My invention relates to improvements in electrical switching apparatus, and particularly to a switch gear composed of parts especially designed for flexibility in construction, and for ease and safety of operation.

In the past, various means have been utilized to reduce the dangers incident to improper manipulations of switching apparatus. To this end the different parts of the apparatus have been so associated with each other as to insure that'the various switching operations are performed in the proper sequence, the operating mechanisms ,of the oil switches and that of the disconnect switches provided for disconnecting the oil switch terminals from the line being interlocked to prevent operation of the disconnect switches until after the oil switches have been opened. 1

In order to facilitate inspection of the different parts of the switching apparatus and to permit the making of repairs, it has been proposed to mount the oil switch on a truck arranged to be moved away from the stationary part of the apparatus which comprises the leads through which power is received and supplied, the buses and their associated switches, and the potential transformer.

Between the stationary and movable part of the apparatus may be provided a panel adapted to support the necessary indicating and recording instruments. Whether it is desirable to mount the panel on the movable or stationary part of the apparatus must be determined by the characteristics of the par ticular installation. It is therefore desirable to have an arrangement of parts by means of which the panel may have its mounting changed to suit the particular installation in which it is used.

Due to the separation of the truck from the stationary part of the apparatus and the consequent exposure of the terminals through which energy is supplied and received, it is necessary to provide means of protect-ion against accidental contact with these terminals which may be'charged to a dangerous voltage. In accordance with my invention, improved means operated in response to the movement of the. truck are provided for covering the terminals immediately upon withdrawal of the truck,

29, 1923. Serial No. 615,507.

in serious injury to the apparatus. I In accordance with the present invention means are provided for preventing closure of the oil switch unless all the tanks have been replaced.

An object of my invention therefore is to provide means arranged to insure a greater degree of flexibility and safety in the operation of switching apparatus.

A further object is to provide an improved means for protecting the operator against accidental contact with live parts exposed by the separation of the movable part of the switching apparatus from the stationary part thereof.

A further object is to provide an interlocking mechanism which makes it impossible to operate the oil switches unless all the oil swltch tanks have been replaced.

A still further object is to provide means by which the panel board may be either arranged to be moved with the truck or mounted on the stationary part of the apparatus as may be found desirable.

Other objects.and advantages will become apparent as my invention is considered in detai My invention will be better understood from the following descripton taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawing, ig. 1 shows a sectional view of a switch gear, the live parts of which are encased in insulating material; Fig. 2 shows, partly in section, a View of a slightly different modification; Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the movable truck together with the oil switch, and oil switch operating mechanism which is mounted upon it; Fig. 4 shows an interlocking mechanism which is provided for the par pose of preventing withdrawal of the truck until the oil switches have been opened; Fig. is a front elevation of the switch gear, the truck and panel board being shown as partly cut. away for thepurpose of showing certain other parts; F1gs. 6 and 7 show an arrangement of parts making it possible to attach the panel either to the stationary or movable parts of the apparatus as may be found desirable; Fig. 8 shows the covers for the stationary disconnect contacts and the means by which they are operated; Fig. 9 shows means for preventing closure of the oil switches until all the tanks are in place, and Fig. shows the locking mechanism for preventing the opening or closing of the selector switches when the oil switch is closed.

The switch gear shown in Fig. '1' comprises an oil switch 1 mounted on a truck 2 and connected in series with a current transformer 3 between the movable disconncct contacts 4 and 5 which are surrounded by insulating members 6 and 7 and arranged to cooperate with the stationary dis- 7 connect contacts 8 and 9. The stationary within a casing which supports the cover 21. Mechanically associated with the cover 21 are the contacts 22 and 23 arranged to interrupt the circuit between the transformer 14 and the lead 12 when this cover is removed from the casing 20. The oil switch 1 is operated through a lever 24 pivoted at 25 and arranged to be raised and lowered by movement of the toggle 2627. The toggle 2627 is operated through a member 28 mechanically associated with the operating handle 29.

Conductively associated with the lead 13 are the switch blades 30 and 31 arranged to make contact wit-h the stationary members 32 and 33 respectively for the purpose of connecting the lead 13 either to the bus 34 or the bus 35 as may be desired. The switch blade 3O is pivotedat 36 and is moved to make and break contact with the stationar contact 32 by means of an insulating link 3 with a bell crank 38 pivoted at 39 and interconnected by a link 40 with an operating lever 41 pivoted at 42 and connected to the operating handle 43 (see Figures 5, 6 and 7) by a. suitable rod attached to the lever 41 at 44. The switch blade 31 is actuated by a mechanism similar to that describedin connection with the switch blade 30, the respective operating handles being placed on opposite sides of the truck 2. Operation of the bus selector switches while the main oil switch is in closed position is prevented by means of an'interlocking mechanism comprising a lever 74 supported by the bracket 73 and arranged to e rotated about the pin 76 in response to movement of the cross-head 48 to which the lever 74 is connected through rod 75 and pin 77. Upon the opposite end of the lever 74 is a cross-bar 72 which, in the closed position of the switch 1, contacts with the member 41 to prevent opening of the switch 30. The operating mechanism of the bus selector switch 31 is similarly arranged to be locked in either open or closed position by means of the bar 72.

Mounted above the tank of the switch 1 is a catch 45 arranged to prevent the closing of the oil switches unless all their tanks are in operative position. The catch 45 is biased to the left by a spring 46 (see Fig. 9.) and is held against the action bf this spring by a projection 47 fixed to an upper edge of the tank of the switch lso that when the not inoperative position is prevented by the'catch which engages the cross-head 48 and prevents any movement of the operating mechanism.

Fig. 2 shows a modification in which the buses 49, 50 and 51 areconnected directly to the stationary contact of the disconnect switch instead of through an oil immersed selector switch as in the modification shown by Fig. 1.

'In Fig. 3, the movable part of the apparatus is shown as provided with a solenoid 52 arranged to operate the switch 1. With this arrangement, the solenoid 52 replaces the current transformer 3 which may be placed to the rear of the stationary part of the apparatus.

In Fig. 4 is shown a mechanism for preventing withdrawal of the truck and opening-of the disconnect switches while the oil switches are closed. Upon the truck 2 are mounted rods 53 provided with handles 59 and with projections 54 arranged to lock the truck in a position to close the disconnect switches. Fixed to the rods 53 are the arms 55 arranged to rotate the disk 56 by means of rods 57. In the edge of the disk 56 is a notch 58 provided to cooperate with the lower end of the lever 27 for the purpose of preventing rotation of the rods 53 when till the oil switch is closed. In the illustrated open position of the oil switch operating mechanism, the lever -7 is disengaged from the disk 56 so as to permit withdrawal of the truck and the consequent opening of the disconnect switches. With the parts constructed as shown it is impossible to move the truck either to open or close the disconnect switches when the associated oil switchcs are in closed position.

For the purpose of more clearly showing the relation between the truck 2, the sta tionary contacts 8 and 9 of the disconnect switches, and the contact covers the truck and panel are shown in Fig. 5 as partly cut away. The covers 60 of the two sets of contacts S and 9 are interconnected by a rod 61 (see Fig. 8) and simultaneously operated in response to movement of the member 62 which is fixed at one end to the truck 2 and at the other end is provided with a roller 63 arranged to cooperate with a lever 64 rotatably mounted on the shaft 66. The lever GT is resiliently connected with the lever 65 through a spring 67 which permits the roller 63 to travel some distance after the cover 60 has been completely raised and further rotation of the shaft 66 is impossible. Lowering of the cover 60 upon withdrawal of the truck 2 is insured by contact of the roller. 63 with the lever 65.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown an arrangement of parts which makes it possible to attach the panel 68 either to the stationary or movable part of the apparatus. As shown in Fig. 6 the panel 68 is attached to the truck by means of bolts 69 and 70. As shown in Fig. 7, the panel is attached to the stationary part of the structure by means of bolts 71. The position of the various parts u on with 'drawal of the truck 2 are indicated y dotted lines. lVhether the panel is to be attached to the truck or to the stationary part of the apparatus is a question which can be decided only when the requirements of the particular installation are known. It is, therefore, of great advantage to have an arrangement by which the mounting of the panel may be changed as desired.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. An electric switching apparatus of the type wherein a circuit is interrupted by an oil switch mounted on a truck movable to make and break contact between the stationary and movable contacts of disconnect switches arranged to connect the oil switch terminals with the incoming and outgoing lines comprising a protectiv cover associated with the stationary contacts of said disconneet switches and means comprising a memher having a resilient connection with said cover for positively moving said cover into and out of protective position in response to movements of said truck. a

2. An electric switching apparatus of the type wherein a circuit is interrupted by an oil switch mounted on a truck movable to make and break contact between the stationary and movable contacts of disconnect switches arranged to connect the oil switch terminals with the incoming and outgoing lines comprising a protective cover for a plurality of the stationarycontacts of said disconnect switches pivotally mounted adjacent thereto on an axis at right angles to the line of movement of said truck and means comprising a member having a resilient connection with said cover for positively moving said cover into and out of protective position in response to movements of said truck.

3. An electric switching apparatus of the type wherein a circuit is interrupted by an oil switch mounted on a truck movable to make and break contact between the stationary and movable contacts of disconnect. switches arranged to connect the oil switch terminals with the incoming and outgoing lines, comprising a cover for said stationary contacts, a shaft upon which said cover is mounted, a lever rigidly associated with said shaft, a second lever movable about said shaft and resilient-1y connected with said first mentioned lever, and a member fixed to said truck and arranged to cooperate with said levers to raise and lower said cover.

4. An electric switching apparatus of the type wherein a circuit is interrupted by an oil switch mounted on a truck movable to make and break contact between the stationary and movable contacts of disconnect switches arranged to connect the oil switch terminals with the incomingand outgoing lines, comprising a cover for said stationary contacts, and means forming a resilient operative connection between said truck and said cover, arranged to permit continued movement of said truck after said cover has been raised.

5. An electric switching apparatus of the type wherein acircuit is interrupted by oil switches mounted on a truck movable to make and break contact between the stationary and movable contacts of disconnect switches arranged to connect the oil switch terminals with the incoming and outgoing lines, comprising a cross head through which the oil switches in the different phases are operated in response to movement of a single operating mechanism, a spring operated catch adjacent the tank of each oil switch and biased to a position in which it engages said cross head to prevent closure of said oil switches, and oil switch tanks having projections arranged to cooperate with said catches to disengage them from said cross head.

6. An electric switching apparatus comprising a stationary part and a truck-mounted movable oil switch, said stationary part and said oil switch having contacts arranged to connect the oil switch terminals with the incoming and outgoing lines, and a panel between the oil switch and the stationary part having means whereby it may be attached either to said truck or to the stationary part of the apparatus.

7. An electric switching apparatus comprising a tank containing insulating liquid, contacts immersed therein, a rod movable to operate said contacts, a catch, means arranged to cooperate with said catch for preventing movement of said rod, and means operated by movement of said tank to render said catch incapable of preventing movement of said rod.

8. An electric switching apparatus comprising a plurality of tanks movable into operative and inoperative positions and each containing a set of contacts operable to make and break a circuit, a rod extending through a wall of each tank and arranged to operate the contacts within the same, and means arranged to cooperate with said rods for preventing operation of any of said contacts when any of said tanks are not in operative position.

9. An electric switching apparatus comprising a, plurality of tanks movable into operative and inoperative positions and each containing a set of contacts operable to make and break a circuit, a rod extending through a wall of each tank and arranged to operate the contacts within the same, a plurality of catches each mounted in proximity to one s of said tanks, means arranged to cooperate with said catches for preventing closure of any of said contacts when any of said tanks are not in operative position, and means operable in response to movement of said tanks for rendering said catches ineffective.

10. An electric polyphase switching apparatus comprising fixed contacts, a truck having contacts adapted to cooperate therewith in accordance with the position of the truck, separate phase switches carried by the truck, an enclosing tank for each phase switch removable to an inoperative position, and means for preventing the closing of any of said switches when the tank of any switch is in inoperative position.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of January, 1923.

- HERMAN J. H. HUBER. 

